Maedhros, humiliated by his defeat at the past battle against Morgoth, travels towards Beleriand. He knows Sauron is around that area and he wants to find him. After three days of searching, he comes across an Orc straggler of Sauron’s force. The Orc barely knows what is happening when suddenly, Maedhros rushes up and slays the Orc. By now, Maedhros can see a trail of the Orc forces’ footprints. He follows for three days and finally sees the camp. Thirty-two campfires. Thirteen Orcs at each. Four hundred sixteen tents. One large tent for Sauron.

Maedhros can hear what is going on at the camp. ” You there, go get me my blade, I caught an Elf that Sauron is allowing me to execute.” It was an Orc lieutenant yelling at an Orc soldier. Then Maedhros moves stealthily into the camp and grabs a torch. He starts burning the tents nearest him and has nineteen alight before he is spotted. Orc captains are yelling to soldiers to get their swords and shields. By the time they get their gear, Maedhros has gone. The same thing happens for three nights. After the first night, Sauron had made fifteen Orcs stand guard until the mysterious person that burnt the tents was captured.

On the fifth night, now only one hundred forty-two Orcs left, Maedhros takes a bow from an Orc gear tent. He lights the arrows and shoots into the middle of the camp. Chaos ensues while the Orcs scramble wildly for their weapons and Sauron is trying to command his soldiers. Now sets in Maedhros’ plan; he has been taking fallen Elven armor from the Orcs’ plunder of the villages they have been to. Maedhros has made it seem like the armor is being worn by real elves surrounding the camp. However, Sauron sees through the ploy and spots Maedhros lighting fire to another arrow. He command his men to surround the area and take Maedhros alive. After three minutes of fighting, a wedge is cut through the ranks of Orcs by Maedhros and he escapes. Now completely humiliated by Sauron, he goes forth to find any still loyal to him.

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